National Wreaths Across America Day

People gathered at Andersonville National Cemetery on Saturday for National Wreaths Across America Day.

It's an event where people honor veterans by laying wreaths on their graves. Despite only part of the wreath shipment arriving at Andersonville, the ceremony still continued. It was especially meaningful for one mother remembering her son.

More than 20 thousand veterans and their families are laid to rest at the cemetery, and five of them were killed in action in Iraq or Afghanistan, according to Eric Leonard, park ranger.

Senior Airman Michael Buras is one of them. "Kind of a jokester, a clown, probably one of the funniest people I've had the pleasure of knowing," said Joy Buras, his mother.

Buras said her son was an explosive ordnance disposal technician and served three tours.

"It was his passion. What guy doesn't like to make things explode?" she said.

During his third tour in September 2010, the 23-year-old was killed in Afghanistan.

"Unfortunately there was three IED's there, they took care of two, but the third one was hidden and he actually stepped on it," said Buras.

She frequently visits her son's grave and sometimes bringing his daughter.

Buras especially enjoys coming on occasions like National Wreaths Across America Day.

And that it's important to remember veterans.

"The freedom that we all enjoy, it's not free, it's paid for at a very high cost," she said.

Only 40 of the 200 expected wreaths were delivered due to weather.

Park rangers say they hope the shipment arrives by the middle of next week.